The Kingdom of Bhutan is a diminutive Himalayan kingdom between India and Tibet near Nepal. Though small on the world stage, Bhutan stamps represent some of the most interesting and non-traditional collectibles in the entire hobby. Bhutanese stamps are legendary for their use of technology, their lack of traditional rules, and their downright humor.
Incorporating up-to-the-minute technology in wholly novel ways, and with a tendency to think outside the box, Bhutan stamps are an endless source of enthusiasm – and, yes, amusement – for stamp collectors.
Bhutan Stamps – Details and Background
Bhutan stamp values use the currency 1 ngultrum = 100 chetrum. Stamps are printed in Bhutanese (Tibetan) script. Bhutan stamps generally include a short version of the country’s name, rendered as འབྲུག, but virtually always include the English inscription “Bhutan” as well. (This is often the only English to appear on the stamp.)
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Notable Bhutan Stamp Issues
Bhutan’s first stamps were issued in 1962. Under the influence of the American Burt Todd, Bhutan quickly began a tradition of designing and releasing unusual postage stamps. In 1967, the nation used 3D technology on some stamps showing astronauts. They wouldn’t be the last to issue 3D stamps (and this wouldn’t be their last time, either), but Bhutan helped pave the way for the approach. Bhutan’s 1967 astronaut issues are still popular among collectors.
Gold foil stamps, depicting (and, of course, resembling) coins were released by Bhutan in honor of its kings. There had been postage stamps that honored other postage stamps, but the crossover idea of appealing to both coin and stamp collectors was a stroke of genius on the part of Bhutan. A complete set of these is an especially fun goal for a collector to strive for.
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Bhutanese Phonograph Record Stamps
Perhaps most famously, a 1973 series of seven stamps (including two airmail stamps) were in fact tiny round, playable phonograph records. In the scratchiest audio quality imaginable, the tracks included folk songs and Bhutanese history overviews in both Bhutanese and English. These were all actually used postally, giving them a legitimacy that some strictly-for-philatelists items may lack.
In 2008, and again in 2009, Bhutan continued its bold, experimental postage stamp philosophy by issuing a series of the world’s first CD-ROM postage stamps, which featured videos of Bhutan. Clearly gimmicky, but philatelically undeniable.
Buying Bhutan Stamps Today
In addition to these unusual stamps, there have been many regular issues by Bhutan that appeal to collectors worldwide. If stamps printed on wood, plastic, or CD-ROMs aren’t your thing (or if you already have them all) there are a large number of strikingly-designed souvenir sheets from Bhutan to choose from. Also, check out the first day covers, maximum cards, minisheets, and other subcategories of rare and collectible Bhutanese stamps.
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Many a collector has gotten their foot caught in the Bhutan stamps trap, happily endeavoring for years to keep adding items to their hoards. So watch out, and if it happens to you – well, congratulations!
